If you are moving to Cyprus from the UK , there will be a lot to plan in terms of both the logistics of moving and also of starting a new life overseas. For some, Cyprus may be a new home for their retirement years but for many one of the main priorities may well be looking for employment there.
When taking into account the Cypriot economy, the largest contributor to the island’s GDP is the tourism industry. There are, of course, other industries which are major contributors to the Cypriot economy namely; food and beverage, real estate, the service sector, shipping and textiles.
Summer/seasonal work
The strong tourism sector, in particular, means that there are quite an abundance of summer jobs amongst hospitality venues; hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes. As the island is home to the famous clubbing hotspot, Ayia Napa, there are many opportunities for bar work and PR jobs for the clubs throughout the summer season. These employers will attract extra labour during peak season but the sector will still offer some posts all year round.
TEFL
Opportunities exist for TEFL ‘teaching English as a Foreign Language’ on the island. Bear in mind that this is a popular form of employment in Cyprus, particularly for British expats and so there can be a fair amount of competition for these posts. The TEFL qualifications are required for this type of work.
There are also a number of private international schools on the island at elementary, middle, and secondary school level. Teaching in a private school usually requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree with at least two years of experience of teaching at the respective level and, often, a TEFL qualification.
Working Culture
It’s worth noting that when looking for and applying for vacancies, that there will of course always be substantial competition from the island’s locals for jobs. The main languages spoken in Cyprus are Turkish and Greek, depending on whether you are on the on the Northern or Southern side respectively. Much of the language for business is English, but it will still be of benefit if you have some command of Greek.
The salaries in Cyprus are quite low but this is in line with a lower cost of living on the island. It is worth noting that there is no national minimum wage. The average working week within a corporate environment tends to be around 40 hours and runs from Monday to Friday. Holiday allowance is around 21 days and can rise to 25 days with longer service. Within hospitality, the working week tends to be a six day week.
Burke Bros Moving Group are specialists in the moving of household effects and vehicles to and from Cyprus and benefit from expert knowledge of the process. European moving advisors are on hand to answer your questions and guide you through the process of moving effects to the island. They can be contacted on 01902 714555, via sales@burkebros.co.uk or if you would prefer a call back, via the ‘contact us’ page.
